Gulf Construction Online

UAE Focus

Update

01 April 2010

Ajman subcontracts awarded
SWEET Homes General Contracting (SHGC), the main contractor for Ajman Uptown, has awarded two key subcontracts for the 1,504 villas within the Dh2.2 billion ($599 million) master development – one to Al Ibhar Electrical Contracting and Elegant Electromechanical Contracting as the MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing), air-conditioning and fire fighting sub-contractor, and the other to Liwa Building Contracting as the civil subcontractor.
The in-house contracting arm of Sweet Homes Group also announced that it has completed the sub-structure of all villas within the community development, which marks its first key milestone in the project’s construction. Superstructure works are progressing rapidly across all two-, three- and four-bedroom townhouses and five-bedroom villas within the project.

Toshiba Elevator eyes expansion
JAPAN’S Toshiba Elevator and Building Systems Corporation has outlined plans to double its turnover in the region in less than five years. This is in line with the corporation’s strategic expansion plans in the region and in India, according to its global president and CEO Shunichi Kimura.
The company expects to execute projects worth Dh300 million ($81 million) in 2010-2011 in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Kimura said. Several more projects are in the bidding process. This year, Toshiba Elevators won a new order worth Dh140 million ($38 million) in Reem Island’s City of Lights, covering more than 22 towers. Talks were in final stages with a partner in Oman for launching operations there, he added.
“Plans to open offices in Saudi Arabia and Qatar with local partners are also on the cards,” he said. “As for India, talks are going on with large industrial houses for a possible tie-up for bidding for projects.”

Meydan to sell three buildings
MEYDAN will sign an memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Emirates NBD for sale of three commercial buildings in Meydan Metropolis Phase One, the company’s business park zone. Emirates NBD has said that the buildings, to be ready by the end of 2011, will be used for corporate staffing. Earthworks, piling and the laying of foundation have started for the buildings, which will include offices, retail units, showrooms and car-parks.

100 Kempinski units handed over
EMERALD Palace Group, has marked a key milestone in its Kempinski Hotel Residences Palm Jumeirah project in Dubai, with the delivery of 100 units to the owners. The project, work on which began in 2007, consists of 244 units, including a mix of high-end suites, residences, penthouses and royal villas.
Handover began in January and is expected to be completed this month.

Dewa signs six contracts
DUBAI Water and Electricity Authority (Dewa) has signed six new contracts for projects in electricity and water sectors.
The first contract is to supply, install, test and commission three 132/11 kV substations with AAB Industries, Dubai, for Dh250 million ($68 million).
The second Dh1.03-billion ($280 million) contract with Areva T&D SA Dubai, is to supply, install, test and commission three 132/11 kV substations in various areas including Dubai Investment Park, Jebel Ali, Mutina and Kifaf.
A Dh260-million ($70.7 million) third contract with Ducab involves supply of 11 kV XLPE power cables while a fourth contract with Ghantoot Gulf Contracting will involve supply, installation, testing and commissioning of glass reinforced epoxy (GRE) water transmission pipelines and associated works at a cost of Dh820 million ($223.5 million).
A fifth contract will be signed with Saudi Modern Company (Riyadh Cables) Dubai, to supply, install, test and commission 132 kV cables to 132/11 kV substations, to the value of Dh300 million ($81.6 million), while a sixth with Siemens is for supply, installation, testing and commissioning of 400/132 kV substations at Mamzer Beach for Dh470 million ($127.961 million).

Key Saadiyat milestones achieved
TOURISM Development & Investment Company (TDIC), the master developer of Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi, said it has achieved key milestones of progress in the construction of the development.
This was revealed to a group of high-profile dignitaries, who were given a tour of the development. Saadiyat Construction Village, which is now home to more than 4,500 construction workers, will also offer a 4-hectare, floodlit, multi-purpose grassed sports oval, once the landscaping is completed in June. Visitors were also briefed on the construction progress of the world-class museums which will open in 2013 in the Saadiyat Island Cultural District, besides plans and renderings for the Saadiyat Beach Clubhouse. Meanwhile, TDIC has floated the main tender for building a branch of the Louvre museum on the development.

Aecom to help deliver key projects
MIDDLE East-based Aecom has announced that it is working in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Sewerage Services Company (ADSSC) to help deliver two projects which will provide facilities for isolated properties in the emirate. The first commission involves the design and construction supervision of sewerage connections and related works for isolated properties in Abu Dhabi. The second is for Phase Two of the design and construction supervision of wastewater relocation works under roads and utility schemes in Abu Dhabi. These two projects are already under way.

DSWP secures Khalifa A City deal
DRAKE & Scull Water and Power (DSWP) has announced that it has been awarded the entire utilities development works at the residential compound located in the prestigious Khalifa A City in Abu Dhabi.
A subsidiary of Drake & Scull International, DSWP was awarded the district cooling works at the same compound earlier this year, and will now begin relevant infrastructure work that include sewer lines, irrigation, telecommunications services, fire fighting, substations and all related civil works such as roads and paving.

State-of-art school on way
SHEIKH Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, laid the foundation stone for the International Indian High School (IIHS) at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the high-technology park.
An initiative of IHS Dubai at Dubai Silicon Oasis, the school is scheduled to start functioning from April 2011. The new campus will be fitted out with state-of-the-art facilities such as an amphitheatre, cafeteria, activity room, gymnasium, swimming pool, and a temperature-controlled indoor sports complex. The school will feature a well-equipped ICT department, virtual classrooms, smart boards and a wireless campus. Its central library will house manuals and materials for the continual improvement and updating of pedagogical practices.

Haston ... promoted.

RMJM director named region’s CEO
IN A move to expand its operations in Dubai and other emerging markets of the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey, RMJM has promoted former Emerging Markets director Nick Haston as CEO for the Middle East region and Turkey. As RMJM’s regional CEO, Haston will focus on building on RMJM’s 40-year reputation in the region; maximising opportunities for growth in emerging markets; and promoting the firm’s design-led expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and engineering.

Reem Island gets first tree
BUNYA, the regulatory authority of Reem Island, has officially planted the first tree on its Reem Island development, symbolically marking the beginning of a ‘green’ journey in conjunction with Tamouh, Reem Investments and Sorouh, the three master developers of the island.
The event complements the developer’s vision of building a premier residential and commercial destination where landscaping will be a vital component. The island’s key priority is to offer Abu Dhabi residents quality lifestyle through its innovative projects.